Shloka 131
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
रथाश्वपत्तयो नागै रथाश्रेभाश्ष पत्तिभि: | रथपत्तिद्विपश्षाश्रै रथैश्षापि नरद्विपा:
rathāśvapattayo nāgai rathāśrebhāś ca pattibhiḥ | rathapattidvipaś cāśrai rathaiś cāpi naradvipāḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Sa kaguluhan ng labanan, ang mga karwahe, kabayo, at kawal na naglalakad ay pinabagsak ng mga elepante; ang mga mandirigmang nasa karwahe ay sinalakay ng impanterya; at ang mga elepante at impanterya naman ay pinisil at dinaganan ng mga karwahe—kaya’t kapwa tao at elepante ay nadurog sa magkakabit na paglusob.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the cyclical, mutually destructive nature of warfare: each arm of the army becomes both hunter and hunted. Ethically, it points to how conflict erodes stability and compassion, reducing living beings to instruments within a violent exchange.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield as different divisions—elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry—colliding in shifting patterns of advantage. Elephants trample mixed troops, infantry presses chariot-warriors, and chariots counter elephants and footmen, producing widespread devastation.